Main menu

Tag Archives: dirty laundry

Post navigation

Before you begin to worry too much about where on earth this post is heading, don’t worry—I promise it’s not too gross.

This morning, I was once again proud of myself for getting up at 5am to go for a run. I was trucking it back into my apartment parking lot near the end of my run, when I saw a flock of birds gathered in a corner. I felt a sudden rush because the finish line of my day’s run was just steps away, plus I was simply happy and feeling awesome because I enjoyed my workout, so I decided those birds needed scattering. So, like any sane 23-year-old woman, I took off on my final round of the parking lot and ran full-speed at the birds, watching them take off in flight while squawking angrily at me.

As I laughed to myself and walked to my stoop, I pulled my leg up to stretch my quad. I felt strong, I felt healthy, I felt so happy! Don’t you just love that great feeling after a good workout?

Then suddenly—as I turned my head to grab my other foot, I looked down at my shoulder in horror.

One of the birds had POOPED on me!!!!!

Well, it was a little gross (a little?!) but I didn’t let it totally ruin my runner’s high. I hurried inside to chuck my shirt off as fast as I could before I finished stretching. But what I will now refer to as The Bird Incident made me think about all the times when we think we are unstoppable, unbeatable, just on top of the world—and then something poops on our parade.

I really don’t think I’m pessimistic, just realistic: Sometimes when things are going 100% in the right direction, something is going to pop up (or fall from the sky) and try to make you swerve off track. It’s the expectation that these things may happen that allows us to deal with them.

But lately, it seems like not only The Bird Incident has been getting in my way. While my hip is feeling better and I can run again, I only run 2-3 miles at a time, and only a couple days a week. It’s frustrating, after having been able to run for 6 miles at a time earlier this summer. And on the eating front, I am getting tired of “dieting”. I’m not sick of “healthy” food—I don’t keep myself to a strict set of foods to eat, and I make some great meals. But, it’s just so hard to fit in going out to eat or having a couple after-work drinks when you’re on a limited caloric intake. As much as I’d like to have a glass of wine some nights, I know I shouldn’t cut out part of my dinner just so I can have that vino.

It’s just hard not being a “normal” eater like everyone else. Sometimes people just don’t understand why I can’t go get chicken wings with them, or why I don’t want to come out on a Friday night and tempt myself with all-you-can-drink beer.
And, as much as I have been trying to watch my calories these past few weeks, it just seems like the number on the scale keeps hovering. Still, I think I’m a pretty positive person, so I know that eventually I’ll get to my desired results.